Hamilton cuts gap to Rosberg after German cops penalty

CROWD FAVOURITE: British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes AMG GP celebrates with the trophy on the podium after the 2016 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone.VALDRIN XHEMAJ

MOTORSPORT: Lewis Hamilton left his home track at Silverstone with more than just his fourth British Grand Prix victory.

Nico Rosberg was hit with a 10-second time penalty for illegal use of team radio messages, with reigning Formula 1 world champion Hamilton now just one point behind his Mercedes teammate in the drivers’ championship.

After becoming the first man to win three consecutive British Grand Prixs and four races at Silverstone, Hamilton closed the gap to Rosberg to just four points, but an investigation into Rosberg after he suffered a gearbox failure led to the German receiving a time penalty for the second consecutive race and ultimately being demoted from second to third, losing three championship points with it.

Mercedes confirmed minutes after the decision that it would appeal the sanction.

Rosberg exited the Club Chicane stuck in seventh gear, to which he received help from his race engineer Tony Ross to solve the problem.

Hamilton led every lap of a race that started under the safety car in wet conditions but dried.

“Ever since 2007 I have felt the energy from the fans here, the best crowd in the world – the success speeds up that connection. Every time I made it through certain corners I could see the fans in the corner of my eye.

“In the closing laps, I could see them shouting. I am very honoured. It is a very humbling experience to be in this sport, particularly in a time of difficulty in the world and see so much love in the world.

“On this day, we come together and it is a beautiful thing.”

The result means Rosberg heads to Hungary in a fortnight’s time with the smallest advantage over Hamilton, although he did admit afterwards that he can look at the matter with his “glass half full” and take heart that he still leads the championship battle.